Luther Baker - Boston Corbett - Abe Lincoln

[Craig Hipkins]

I have a copy of Corbett's military record and there is no mention of him deserting his post. In fact, Corbett spent much of the time before the assassination recuperating from his ordeal at Andersonville where he almost died. His military record does list him as "missing on scout" June, 18 1864 but this was the day that he had been captured by Mosby's men.
There is, however, an interesting note in his military record that is worth noting. He was promoted to Corporal on Sept 06, 1863 but was "reduced to the Rks (ranks)" on February 26, 1864. He is listed as a Private. I do not know the reason for his reduction in rank.

As far as Corbett meeting Lincoln, there might be some truth to this. Before Corbett served in the 16th NY Cavalry he had served a few stints with the 12th Regiment of the New York state militia. One of his former comrades and friends was Edward Kirk who later wrote:

On Monday, (April 29, 1861) while in the church quarters, Abraham Lincoln and W.H. Seward, called to welcome the boys, and while W.H. Seward, got the pulpit and spoke encouraging words to us, the dear old Hero, our President Lincoln, (with tears in his eyes) took each one of us personaly by that hand and greeted us with thanks and blessing for our response to his call for help And there in the presence he grasped the hand (Corbett's) which four years later was destined to take the life of his assassin.


Joe, like your avatar!

Craig